Last Week’s Craft Beer Tasting Notes—Nov 6–12 (35 Beers)

OK, I guess that was another big week. I went over to Vancouver on Sunday and hit up a few breweries.

Goodnight Sweet Prince by Twin Sails Brewing

This was one of the best coffee stouts I’ve ever had. It had dark roast coffee flavour with just enough sweetness to offset the bitterness. It also had a hell of a caffeine kick!

Sack Lunch by Twin Sails Brewing

This Sacc Trois pale ale had subtle hop fruitiness with notes of peach, papaya, accompanied by a touch of spice and funk-lite. It was crushable with a dry finish.

Double Infinity (Galaxy) by Superflux Beer Company

This is probably one of the worst beers that Superflux has made, but it’s still one of the best NE DIPAs I’ve tried. It was super smooth and delicious with notes of passionfruit and citrus over a rich malt base. My first can was a little green, but that seemed to have settled down after a couple of weeks.

Like That by Strathcona Beer Company & Superflux Beer Company

This NE IPA was way better than the previous “Like That.” It was far more juicy and had far more tropical fruit flavour.

Genèse by Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

This apricot triple was deceptively light! It was sweet but not overpowering, with notes of apricot, pear, and black pepper.

This style-defying beer had a nice bit of citrus and tropical fruit with a touch of tartness, a smooth mouthfeel, and a slightly sweet finish. I feel like it would be better without the tartness. Not everything has to be sour Field House…

Depth Charge (2017) by Lighthouse Brewing Company

This Belgian Quad was aged oak aged with cognac. It was full bodied but not heavy with notes of caramel, vanilla, nuts, dried fruit, spices, and oak.

Tuesday Can Conditioned by Burdock

This saison had notes of pineapple, straw, and clove. It was really effervescent from being can-conditioned. I didn’t drink it on a Tuesday though…

Blackberry Jam by Four Winds Brewing

The blackberries in this fruited IPA balanced really nicely against the lupulin. The lactose and vanilla added a touch of sweetness and it finished oh so smoothly.

Oscar by Dageraad Brewing

This Belgian-style pale ale had a spicy and fruity nose. The palate brought spicy phenols and fruity esters notes of pear and clove with a hints of pine and resin from the hops.

Louise by Dageraad Brewing

This Belgian-style blond had subtle notes of grapefruit and tropical fruits, which complemented the fruity yeast esters and balanced the clove-like spicy phenols.

Wet-Hopped Blonde (2017) by Dageraad Brewing

This is one of my favourtie annual fresh hops. You’d think the freshness would fall off during bottle conditioning, but they still lend and nice herbal and resinous quality to this spicy and fruit blonde.

Bah Humbug by Wychwood Brewery

This was a a decent brown ale with some fruity undertones and very light spice. Even drunk at cellar temp the flavours still didn’t come through enough.

Rizzla Rice Lager by Hearthstone Brewery

This was quite interesting. It wasn’t quite as grainy as a regular lager, but just as crisp and refreshing.

Fugli by Oskar Blues Brewery

This fruited IPA had mild notes of tangerine and Blueberries with some earthy undertones. It was nice, but I was hoping for more prominent fruit.

Into the Black Oatmeal Stout by Off The Rail Brewing

Light and smooth with mild roasty notes of coffee and chocolate. However, I found it was a little over-carbonated and thin-bodied.

10th Anniversary Sour Raspberry Nut Brown Ale by Dead Frog Brewery

This beer was a little weird. I like the fact that they tried something different, but it didn’t really work. It was far too bitter and the raspberry tastes medicinal.

Dave Bomb 2.0 by Red Collar Brewing Co.

This was first legitimately good beer I’ve had from Red Collar. The roastiness of the coffee worked well with the fruity esters from the yeast and offset the sweetness really well.

Draught

La Morsure by Le Trou du Diable—at The Drake Eatery

This IPA had tropical fruits, caramel, and pine on the nose. The palate

had fruity and resinous hops, balanced by a sweet malt base. It finished with decent bitterness.